Feeling like I'm behind as a freshman

Good evening everyone! 

This is my first post on WSO. I'm currently a freshman at the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. Coming here, I thought investment banking was going to be a niche interest - but boy was I wrong. It seems like everyone and their mother wants to become a banker and join the Investment Banking Workshop here, which has left me extremely nervous about my competition. I've never really been exposed to Excel, Valuation, or M&A, while all the other freshmen seem to be experts in these fields already. 

Thus, I'm really concerned that I'm lacking behind everyone else at this school and have joined WSO to seek advice. If I want to join the IBW and eventually become a banker, where do I start??? I'm so lost on where to even begin the process of learning about investment banking and the skills it needs. What should I start doing from now on, outside of school or in school, to prepare myself for the workshop and my career? Do I need to take any excel classes online? If so, does anyone have any ideas for affordable but reputable courses? 

Any input would be greatly appreciated! Thank you all in advance. 

7 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Dude, you’re a fucking freshman … you’re not behind. Try to enjoy yourself while grinding.

Start by learning what IB actually is (at a high level, at first). Everyone says they want to go into banking at your age, but a majority of freshman don’t even know what banking actually is.

Once you have a high level understanding of IB, learn financial accounting - these will help you understand a company’s resources (assets) and sources of funding (debt and equity). Once you master the statements move onto valuations.

Start reaching out to regional boutiques to get a name on your resume. Lmk if this helps

 

Thanks for all the feedback guys, I certainly feel a bit better about myself than before. I'll start getting myself out there and networking, as well as reviewing some of the basics of finance. Appreciate all the advice homies. 

 

In dolore inventore sapiente ut inventore eveniet. Nihil consequatur libero sapiente et. Sed quia omnis voluptas qui distinctio quidem alias doloremque. Tempora aliquid possimus consequatur ut voluptates.

Quo nobis vel magnam corporis ullam et quae beatae. Eaque nisi fugiat et aperiam non minima minima. Ut at maxime aliquid doloribus numquam. Numquam aut nihil sequi.

Illum illum ipsum inventore impedit non impedit officia. Provident animi quos alias et molestiae ipsam. Incidunt saepe amet pariatur quaerat adipisci est. Possimus neque possimus autem nisi recusandae placeat. Cumque id cupiditate aspernatur. Qui quidem sint autem.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 03 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (53) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (15) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”